The use of incense dates back to ancient times but the origin is uncertain. It may have originated in Sumerian and Babylonian cultures, where the gum - resins of aromatic trees were imported from the Arabian and Somali coasts to be used in religious ceremonies. However the use of incense was common in the pagan worship rituals of the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Assyrians, and Babylonians.<ref name=CHRISTODOULOS>{{el icon}} [[Christodoulos (Paraskevaides) of Athens]]. ''"[http://www.ecclesia.gr/greek/archbishop/christodoulos.asp?id=163&what_main=1&what_sub=8&lang=gr&archbishop_heading=%C5%E3%EA%FD%EA%EB%E9%EF%E9 Ἡ Προσφορά τοῦ Θυμιάματος]."'' Εγκύκλιοι. ECCLESIA: ΔΙΑΔΙΚΤΥΑΚΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ. 11/10/2001.</ref> In the Christian period there were cases where Christians were [[Martyr|martyred]] for refusing to offer incense to idols.<ref name="CHRISTODOULOS"/>

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===Temple of Jerusalem===

===Temple of Jerusalem===

Incense was used as a perfumed offering on the [[w:Altar_(Judaism)#Altar_of_Incense|altar of incense]] in the time of the [[Tabernacle (biblical)|Tabernacle]] and in the First and Second Temple periods, being an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in [[Jerusalem]]. The incense offered in the Temple is described in the [[Exodus|Book of Exodus]] as a mixture of [[w:Stacte|stacte]], [[w:Onycha|onycha]], [[w:Galbanum|galbanum]] and [[w:Frankincense|frankincense]].

Incense was used as a perfumed offering on the [[w:Altar_(Judaism)#Altar_of_Incense|altar of incense]] in the time of the [[Tabernacle (biblical)|Tabernacle]] and in the First and Second Temple periods, being an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in [[Jerusalem]]. The incense offered in the Temple is described in the [[Exodus|Book of Exodus]] as a mixture of [[w:Stacte|stacte]], [[w:Onycha|onycha]], [[w:Galbanum|galbanum]] and [[w:Frankincense|frankincense]].

Revision as of 17:15, November 4, 2011

Incense is a product of aromatic plant matter, often with an oil or resin as a base. In the Orthodox Christian practice, incense is an important liturgical implement which is often considered distinctive to the Faith as well.

Incense is burned in a gold censer and ignited by burning charcoal. Customarily, the censer is suspended by chains and swung; however, a hand censer can be used when necessary. The censer is employed only by the priest and/or deacon to venerate all four sides of the altar, the Holy Gifts, the clergy, the congregation, icons, and the church structure itself.

Contents

History and practice

Ancient World

The use of incense dates back to ancient times but the origin is uncertain. It may have originated in Sumerian and Babylonian cultures, where the gum - resins of aromatic trees were imported from the Arabian and Somali coasts to be used in religious ceremonies. However the use of incense was common in the pagan worship rituals of the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Assyrians, and Babylonians.[1] In the Christian period there were cases where Christians were martyred for refusing to offer incense to idols.[1]

"And the Lord said to Moyses: Take for yourself spices - oil of myrrh, onycha, galbanum that is sweet and translucent frankincense, each shall be in equal proportion. And they will make it incense, perfumed work of a perfumer, mixed, pure, holy work. And you shall beat some of it small and place it before the witnesses in the tent of witness, there where I shall be known to you. It shall be a holy of holies for you. Incense according to this mixture you shall not make for yourselves. It is to you something made holy to the Lord. Whoever makes such as this, so as to be scented with it, shall perish from his people." Exodus 30:34-38 (Septuagint).[2]

Thus in accordance with Old Testament tradition, incense is used in every Church service. It is burned as an offering to God even as it was in the days of the First and Second Jewish temples.

Christian Worship

From an indication in Revelation 8:3-5 incense was used in sub-Apostolic Christian worship, however there is no clear evidence of its Christian use until about the year 500.[3] Censers may at first have been fixed, with the introduction of portable censers originating later. The incensing of the altar, church, and congregation, is first recorded in the 9th century.[3]

Theological significance

Incense represents prayers of the saints lifting up into the heavens before God. This is evident from the blessing verse of the celebrant of the censer before incensing begins:

"We offer to Thee, Christ our God, this incense as a spiritual fragrance; receive it, we pray, to Thy heavenly altar and send down to us, in return, the grace of Thy Holy Spirit."[3]

And elsewhere:

Psalm 140:2 - "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."[4]

Incense is also described as being used in heavenly worship, offering the faithful a foretaste of what is to come.

Revelation 5:8 - "Now when He has taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."[5]

Revelation 8:4 - "And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand."[6]

Ingredients

Normally, the resin of the Boswellia thurifera plant (frankincense) is used as a base for incense manufacturing; however, resin from fir trees has also been used. The resin is often infused with a floral oil, producing a fragrant scent when burned.

In the Athonite tradition, incense is often sprinkled liberally with clay dust to prevent granules from clumping.